DATA from Princess Margaret Hospital shows of the 104 COVID-19 deaths between August 1 and September 8 more than 95 percent of those patients were unvaccinated. This accounts for 99 people.

The data also shows five deaths for partially vaccinated people — or 4.81 percent — while no fully vaccinated person died within the timeframe. #In terms of hospitalisations during this time period, less than one percent of people admitted to hospital were fully vaccinated. However, 95.75 percent — or 383 people — of those admitted were unvaccinated while 3.5 percent — or 14 people — were partially vaccinated. #Wesley Francis, consultant surgical oncologist at PMH, explained the origin of the data to The Tribune. #“All those patients who are admitted are put in a simple Excel spreadsheet and categorised according to demographics and comorbidities,” he said yesterday. “A friend in Bermuda sent me one of those graphs where they were showing those hospitalised and one of the variables they included was vaccine status. #“They created a nice graph so I said, ‘(Dr) Forbes we should probably start doing that also.’ We then basically added another variable which was vaccine status and we started to collect data. Patients had to show if they were vaccinated, they have to show their vaccine card which includes information about when they were vaccinated. As the data sort of matured, we started to analyse it and show the majority of people being admitted were really unvaccinated. The data speaks for itself. #“I tried to get Doctors Hospital’s data but they weren’t recording it properly. I think they’re now starting to do that. Maybe in a couple of weeks they will figure it out. I wanted follow-up data from them too because some people are transferred out west and get discharged and I wanted that data but it’s hard and I couldn’t get that because again, Doctors Hospital wasn’t recording that. This was really just a group of residents at PMH who came together and did this. It is especially important to get the data from Doctors Hospital now that their volume is getting up there with PMH’s numbers. #“People focus on vaccine status but examining co-morbidities is really important because it allows us to predict who may die and we can use that as a way to triage patients and treat them. If you can use the model and determine who will be the sicker patients, maybe they can get a different cocktail of treatment because we have limited resources. That’s really the whole idea behind this thing but again, the public wants to know about vaccinated and unvaccinated,” he said. #During a press conference on Friday, Dr Nikkiah Forbes, director of the National HIV/ AIDS and Infectious Diseases Programme at the Ministry of Health, said of those admitted to hospital partially vaccinated, many had taken the shot less than 14 days prior to admission.

The data also shows five deaths for partially vaccinated people — or 4.81 percent — while no fully vaccinated person died within the timeframe.

In terms of hospitalisations during this time period, less than one percent of people admitted to hospital were fully vaccinated. However, 95.75 percent — or 383 people — of those admitted were unvaccinated while 3.5 percent — or 14 people — were partially vaccinated.

Wesley Francis, consultant surgical oncologist at PMH, explained the origin of the data to The Tribune.

“All those patients who are admitted are put in a simple Excel spreadsheet and categorised according to demographics and comorbidities,” he said yesterday. “A friend in Bermuda sent me one of those graphs where they were showing those hospitalised and one of the variables they included was vaccine status.

“They created a nice graph so I said, ‘(Dr) Forbes we should probably start doing that also.’ We then basically added another variable which was vaccine status and we started to collect data. Patients had to show if they were vaccinated, they have to show their vaccine card which includes information about when they were vaccinated. As the data sort of matured, we started to analyse it and show the majority of people being admitted were really unvaccinated. The data speaks for itself.

“I tried to get Doctors Hospital’s data but they weren’t recording it properly. I think they’re now starting to do that. Maybe in a couple of weeks they will figure it out. I wanted follow-up data from them too because some people are transferred out west and get discharged and I wanted that data but it’s hard and I couldn’t get that because again, Doctors Hospital wasn’t recording that. This was really just a group of residents at PMH who came together and did this. It is especially important to get the data from Doctors Hospital now that their volume is getting up there with PMH’s numbers.

“People focus on vaccine status but examining co-morbidities is really important because it allows us to predict who may die and we can use that as a way to triage patients and treat them. If you can use the model and determine who will be the sicker patients, maybe they can get a different cocktail of treatment because we have limited resources. That’s really the whole idea behind this thing but again, the public wants to know about vaccinated and unvaccinated,” he said.

During a press conference on Friday, Dr Nikkiah Forbes, director of the National HIV/ AIDS and Infectious Diseases Programme at the Ministry of Health, said of those admitted to hospital partially vaccinated, many had taken the shot less than 14 days prior to admission.

 

His comments came after weeks of concern that people in quarantine or those who have COVID-19 would not be allowed to vote based on statements made by members of the government. #Last week, National Security Minister Marvin Dames suggested quarantined people will not be allowed to take part in the election. #However, when asked about the government’s stance on the matter yesterday, Mr Wells said every voter will be allowed to exercise their right, including those in quarantine. #Though, he did not clarify how such people will be able to vote on September 16. #“To prevent folks (from voting), there’s some constitutional issues I believe, legal issues around all of that and at the end of the day, folks are going to find a way to exercise their democratic right,” Mr Wells reporters at C V Bethel Senior High School where scores of people gathered to cast an early vote in the advanced poll. #“The government of The Bahamas and let me say this, in the United States, during the US election, the CDC had put out some guidelines and they said whether you’re COVID positive or whether you’re in quarantine, you can go out to vote in the American elections but the point is that you treat everyone who comes to the poll as if they’re COVID positive, so all Americans were allowed to vote and I think we’re taking that same model but we are putting even more stringent guidelines inside the polls.” #This comes after the Progressive Liberal Party wrote to acting Parliamentary Commissioner Lavado Duncanson to confirm whether registered voters will be prevented from voting in the next election if they are quarantined or suffering from COVID-19. #Former State Minister for Legal Affairs Damian Gomez wrote the letter to Mr Duncanson on Monday behalf of PLP leader Philip “Brave” Davis and party members.

His comments came after weeks of concern that people in quarantine or those who have COVID-19 would not be allowed to vote based on statements made by members of the government.

Last week, National Security Minister Marvin Dames suggested quarantined people will not be allowed to take part in the election.

However, when asked about the government’s stance on the matter yesterday, Mr Wells said every voter will be allowed to exercise their right, including those in quarantine.

Though, he did not clarify how such people will be able to vote on September 16.

“To prevent folks (from voting), there’s some constitutional issues I believe, legal issues around all of that and at the end of the day, folks are going to find a way to exercise their democratic right,” Mr Wells reporters at C V Bethel Senior High School where scores of people gathered to cast an early vote in the advanced poll.

“The government of The Bahamas and let me say this, in the United States, during the US election, the CDC had put out some guidelines and they said whether you’re COVID positive or whether you’re in quarantine, you can go out to vote in the American elections but the point is that you treat everyone who comes to the poll as if they’re COVID positive, so all Americans were allowed to vote and I think we’re taking that same model but we are putting even more stringent guidelines inside the polls.”

This comes after the Progressive Liberal Party wrote to acting Parliamentary Commissioner Lavado Duncanson to confirm whether registered voters will be prevented from voting in the next election if they are quarantined or suffering from COVID-19.

Former State Minister for Legal Affairs Damian Gomez wrote the letter to Mr Duncanson on Monday behalf of PLP leader Philip “Brave” Davis and party members.

 

With the advanced poll set for Thursday, Minister of Health Renward Wells said yesterday that the government is exploring ways to allow individuals in quarantine to vote.

However, he emphasized that no final decision had been made yet and health officials have strongly recommended that those people not be permitted to cast their ballots.

“The government is looking at this,” Wells told reporters outside Cabinet.

“We understand the issues of the constitutionality and folks wanting to exercise their rights. And so, a discussion is going to be had on the recommendation because the health professionals did send forward options.

“I’m not going to speak to those options, but their definitive recommendation to the government was that these persons not be allowed to vote.

“But the government has come back and said, ‘But if we do allow them to vote, give us an idea as to how best this can take place’.” 

Wells added, “It’s still under discussion, but I can say that health professionals in the Ministry of Health, the ones who basically make recommendations, are recommending to the government that those persons not, N-O-T, not be allowed to vote.”

On Monday, the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) threatened legal action should quarantined individuals be prevented from voting in the general election. 

SELECT COVID-19 vaccination centres on New Providence will offer extended hours this week to better accommodate school-aged children eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine.

The Kendal Isaacs Gym, St Joseph’s Parish Hall and Loyola Hall will operate until 7pm starting today through Friday. #The following centres will also operate this Saturday from 9am – 4pm: #• Loyola Hall, Gladstone Road #• Kendal G L Isaacs Gym, University Drive #• St Joseph’s Parish Hall, Boyd Road #• Baha Mar, Melia Nassau Beach #The St Anselm’s Parish Hall vaccination centre will operate from 9am – 4pm Monday to Friday. #“We are very encouraged by the number of 12–17-year-olds who have come out to receive the Pfizer vaccine so far,” said Dr Merceline Dahl- Regis, chair of the National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee in a press release. #“We need to get as many of our eligible children vaccinated as quickly as possible so that they can safely return to the classroom.”

The Kendal Isaacs Gym, St Joseph’s Parish Hall and Loyola Hall will operate until 7pm starting today through Friday.

The following centres will also operate this Saturday from 9am – 4pm:

• Loyola Hall, Gladstone Road

• Kendal G L Isaacs Gym, University Drive

• St Joseph’s Parish Hall, Boyd Road

• Baha Mar, Melia Nassau Beach

The St Anselm’s Parish Hall vaccination centre will operate from 9am – 4pm Monday to Friday.

“We are very encouraged by the number of 12–17-year-olds who have come out to receive the Pfizer vaccine so far,” said Dr Merceline Dahl- Regis, chair of the National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee in a press release.

“We need to get as many of our eligible children vaccinated as quickly as possible so that they can safely return to the classroom.”